Zachary Odette, who died Sunday at 26, made his mental illness known in hopes for a cure

SWARTZ CREEK, Michigan — Zachary Odette did not hide the fact he had a debilitating mental illness — in fact, he let the whole world know.

Odette was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in 2003, and became an advocate of a cure for the disease and had a website where he shared his story. Odette, 26, of Swartz Creek died Sunday.

“I admire my son so much for what he did,” said Genesee District Judge Christopher Odette of Grand Blanc. “He went public because he was hopeful there was a cure. He thought if it wasn’t talked about or made public there would be no one doing anything about it.”

Zachary Odette wrote a diary on his website, zacharyodette.com, and also posted links to schizophrenia websites for information on treatment and care. He also published stories, poetry and art from other people suffering from the disease. He used humor to talk about the disease.

"I want to make people with mental illness laugh because I know a lot of people are really depressed and even suicidal, " he said in a 2006 Flint Journal article. "I know what it's like to feel like that."

The 2003 Grand Blanc High School graduate also was featured in a schizophrenia magaizine and his blog was promoted by other mental illness websites.

He was diagnosed while he was a senior in high school and came home after a semester at Michigan State, but seemed to be doing better in the years since, his father said. He obtained an associate’s degree at Mott Community College was enrolled at the University of Michigan-Flint, and wanted to become a doctor, his dad said.

“He was like a hero to me,” Odette said of his son. “He did things under real tough circumstances. He was dealt a bad hand, but he tried to make a difference. He was just a real likable, popular guy.”

Aside from his father, Odette leaves behind his mother, Peggy, two siblings, Chris and Courtney, and a grandfather.

His funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc. He will be cremated after the service.